Top Law Entrance Exams in India Other Than CLAT

India has over 25 recognised law entrance exams in India besides CLAT. Each exam opens doors to 3-year LLB, 5-year BA LLB, BBA LLB, LLM and integrated programmes at national, state and private universities. Choosing the right exam depends on your target college, budget and exam pattern preference.

Why look beyond CLAT for law entrance exams in India?

CLAT is the most popular but seats are limited (≈5,048 in 24 NLUs for 2026). Cut-offs often exceed 100 marks out of 150. Alternative exams offer lower cut-offs, lower fees and access to top private law schools and state universities. Some also test skills law entrance exams in India do not, like logical reasoning or language aptitude.

What is AILET and how is it different from CLAT?

AILET is the All India Law Entrance Test conducted by National Law University, Delhi (NLU Delhi) for BA LLB, LLM and PhD programmes. It is a single-window exam with no centralized counselling like CLAT.

• Exam mode: Offline, pen-and-paper
• Exam duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Total marks: 150
• Sections: English (50), Logical Reasoning (35), Legal Aptitude (35), General Knowledge (30)

Eligibility for BA LLB: 50% in Class 12 (45% for SC/ST). Age limit: 20 years as on 1 July 2026 (22 for SC/ST/OBC/PwD).

Application fee: ₹3,050 (General/OBC), ₹1,050 (SC/ST/PwD). Last date to apply is usually early April; exam in late April or early May. Explore NLU Delhi programmes linked to AILET.

AILET exam guide: step-by-step preparation

Start with past papers from 2020–2025 available on the NLU Delhi site. Spend 4–6 weeks on each section, then 3 weeks on full-length tests. Recommended books: Legal Aptitude by Bhardwaj, Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey and NCERT Class 11–12 English and GK.

Weekly plan for 3 months:

1. Month 1: English comprehension and grammar; static GK and current affairs
2. Month 2: Logical reasoning basics, legal GK and case snippets
3. Month 3: Full-length tests, time management, weak-area drills

Mock tests show that 65% of AILET toppers solve 120+ questions with 90% accuracy; aim for 130+ correct answers to stay safe.

LSAT India: pattern, colleges and eligibility

LSAT India is a global-style law test conducted by Law School Admission Council (LSAC) for BA LLB, BBA LLB, 3-year LLB and LLM. It is accepted at 80+ colleges including Jindal Global Law School, UPES Dehradun and Bennett University.

• Exam mode: Remote-proctored online
• Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Sections: Analytical Reasoning (23%), Logical Reasoning (50%), Reading Comprehension (27%)
• Scoring: Scaled score 300–480; no negative marking

Eligibility: 45% in Class 12 for BA LLB; 45% in graduation for 3-year LLB. No upper age limit.

Exam windows: January and May 2026. Registration closes 15 days before each window; fee ₹3,999.

SET Law (Symbiosis Entrance Test) for BA LLB and BBA LLB

SET Law is the entrance for Symbiosis Law School (Pune, Noida, Hyderabad) and other Symbiosis institutes offering 5-year integrated programmes. It is a computer-based test with a separate SLAT for law.

• Exam duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Total marks: 60
• Sections: Logical Reasoning (15), Legal Reasoning (15), Analytical Reasoning (15), Reading Comprehension (10), General Knowledge (5)
• Marks per question: +1, no negative marking

Eligibility: 45% in Class 12 for general; 40% for SC/ST. Registration fee ₹1,950; exam in May 2026, results within 72 hours.

Counselling is institute-specific; register on the Symbiosis website and pay ₹10,000 counselling fee.

MHCET Law (MAH CET) for Maharashtra law colleges

MHCET Law is the state-level exam for BA LLB, BBA LLB and 3-year LLB seats in 140+ colleges across Maharashtra. It is conducted by State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra.

• Exam mode: Computer-based
• Duration: 2 hours
• Pattern: 150 MCQ, +1/-0.25 marking
• Sections: Legal Aptitude (30), Logical & Analytical Reasoning (40), General Knowledge (30), English (50)

Eligibility: 45% in Class 12 for general; 40% for reserved categories. Application fee ₹800; exam in April 2026.

After results, participate in CAP rounds; first merit list releases in June 2026.

DU LLB Entrance Test for University of Delhi

The University of Delhi conducts DU LLB Entrance for its 3-year LLB programme at Campus Law Centre, Law Centre I and II. The exam is paper-based and tests general knowledge, English and legal aptitude.

• Exam duration: 2 hours
• Total marks: 400
• Sections: English (100), GK & Current Affairs (100), Legal Aptitude (100), Reasoning (100)
• Marks per question: +4, negative marking −1

Eligibility: Graduation with 50% (45% for OBC, 40% for SC/ST). Application fee ₹750; exam in June 2026.

Admissions are merit-based; cut-offs usually range from 120 to 160 marks.

AP LAWCET and TS LAWCET for South India

AP LAWCET (Andhra Pradesh) and TS LAWCET (Telangana) are state-level exams for 3-year LLB and 5-year LLB programmes in over 300 colleges. Both are conducted online by Sri Krishnadevaraya University on behalf of the respective state governments.

• Exam duration: 90 minutes
• Total questions: 120, +1 mark per question, no negative marking
• Sections: General Knowledge (30), Mental Ability (30), Legal Aptitude (60)

Eligibility for 3-year LLB: graduation; for 5-year LLB: Class 12. Application fee ₹850; exams in May 2026.

Counselling and seat allocation are done separately by each state through web counselling.

BHU LLB Entrance Test for Banaras Hindu University

BHU LLB Entrance is the gateway to BA LLB and LLB programmes at Banaras Hindu University. The exam is offline and covers language, general awareness, legal aptitude and mental ability.

• Exam duration: 2 hours
• Total marks: 450
• Sections: Language (150), General Awareness (150), Legal Aptitude (150)

Eligibility: 50% in Class 12 for BA LLB; 50% graduation for LLB. Application fee ₹600; exam in May 2026. BHU also accepts CUET scores for some programmes.

All India Bar Examination (AIBE) for law graduates

AIBE is a qualifying exam for law graduates to obtain the “Certificate of Practice” from the Bar Council of India. It tests professional ethics and knowledge of law, not admission to colleges.

• Exam duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
• Total questions: 100, open-book, no negative marking
• Passing marks: 40% overall (35% for SC/ST)

Eligibility: LLB degree with enrolment as advocate on record. Application fee ₹3,980; exam in March and September 2026. Registration at allindiabarexamination.com.

Compare key law entrance exams in India at a glance

Which exam should you pick?

Use this checklist:

• Target college: If NLU Delhi is your dream, pick AILET; for Symbiosis pick SET Law.
• Pattern choice: Prefer English-heavy? AILET or DU LLB. Prefer pure reasoning? LSAT India.
• Budget: MHCET Law and AP/TS LAWCET cost under ₹1,000; LSAT India is the priciest at ₹3,999.
• Location: DU LLB for Delhi, MHCET for Maharashtra, AP/TS for South India.
• Attempt limit: AILET allows 3 attempts; LSAT India has no cap.

Syllabus breakdown for each law entrance exam in India

How to prepare for multiple law entrance exams in India together

Start with common areas: logical reasoning, reading comprehension and GK. Then branch out. Use 60% of time on CLAT/AILET overlap and 40% on exam-specific drills. Follow the official syllabus from each exam’s website and solve their past papers.

Recommended resources:

• Official mocks on exam portals (free)
• Legal Awareness and Legal Reasoning by Bhardwaj (AILET/DU)
• LSAT India: The Official Study Guide by LSAC
• Monthly GK magazines for current affairs

Time-block your week: 2 hours daily on weekdays, 4–5 hours on weekends. Track accuracy weekly; aim for 85%+ in mocks before the real exam.

Application process: documents and timeline

Most exams open applications 3–4 months before the test. Keep scanned copies ready:

• Class 10 and 12 marksheets
• Caste certificate (if applicable)
• PwD certificate (if applicable)
• Passport-size photo and signature
• ID proof (Aadhaar/PAN)

Timeline example for 2026:

1. October–December 2025: Research colleges and shortlist exams
2. January 2026: LSAT India January window opens; apply
3. February 2026: AILET, SET Law applications open
4. March 2026: MHCET, DU LLB, AP/TS LAWCET notifications
5. April–May 2026: Main exam window
6. June–July 2026: Results, counselling and admissions

Scholarships and fee waivers

NLU Delhi offers merit-cum-means scholarships up to ₹1 lakh per year for AILET qualifiers. Symbiosis offers scholarships up to 50% on tuition for SET Law rank holders. LSAC India Scholarship covers up to ₹2 lakh for LSAT India top performers. Check each college’s scholarship page after results.

Counselling and seat allocation

• AILET: Direct admission to NLU Delhi; no centralized counselling
• LSAT India: Apply separately to each college; some conduct GD/PI
• SET Law: Register on SET portal; pay counselling fee ₹10,000
• MHCET Law: Participate in CAP rounds via cetcell.mahacet.org
• DU LLB: Merit list published by University of Delhi
• AP/TS LAWCET: Web counselling via respective state portals

Career outcomes after these exams

Graduates from these programmes earn starting salaries between ₹6–15 LPA at top firms and ₹3–8 LPA at mid-tier firms. LLM graduates can aim for ₹8–20 LPA in corporate legal roles. Judiciary and civil services offer ₹18–30 LPA for senior positions. Public sector undertakings hire at ₹12–25 LPA for legal roles.